Can I grow this in the shade?

It prefers full sun but will tolerate partial shade in very hot climates.

How do I keep it blooming?

Regular deadheading of spent flower spikes encourages new growth and blooms.

Plant guide

Scarlet sage.

Salvia splendens

Pronounced SAL-vee-uh SPLEN-denz

Also known as Scarlet Sage, Scarlet sage, Tropical sage, bonfire salvia

Scarlet sage is a cheerful plant that brings a pop of vibrant color to your garden beds or containers. It is a tender perennial often grown as an annual in cooler climates. You will love how it attracts hummingbirds and butterflies all season long.

Another photo of Scarlet sage — Photo by The Great Walter (CC BY) via gbif

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 2 to 4 days
Mature size: 1 to 3 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 11
Bloom time: Late spring to first frost

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to prevent root issues. Watch for wilting leaves, which signal that the plant needs a drink. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage a fresh flush of flowers.

Watering: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Use a balanced liquid fertilizer every two weeks during the growing season.
Pruning: Trim back faded flower spikes to promote continuous blooming.
Repotting: Repot only if the plant becomes root bound in its current container.
Soil: Well draining, fertile soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: 10 to 30°C
Humidity: 40 to 60%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Tender perennial, usually grown as an annual.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the soil without soaking in.

Safety

People: It is generally considered non-toxic, but ingestion is not recommended.
Pets: This plant is generally considered non toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: Keep out of reach of small children to prevent accidental ingestion of plant parts.
Contact allergens: Some people may experience mild skin irritation from the foliage oils.
Airborne allergens: There are no significant reports of airborne allergens.
Edibility: This plant is not intended for consumption and may cause digestive upset.

How to identify it

Bright red tubular flowers
Dark green ovate leaves
Square stems typical of mint family
Spiked flower clusters

Height: 0.2 to 0.9m
Spread: 0.2 to 0.45m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: red, pink, purple, white, 2 to 5cm

Problems to watch for

Aphids · Small insects that cluster on new growth and suck plant sap.
Powdery mildew · A fungal issue causing white dusty spots on leaves during humid weather.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, cuttings
When to plant: spring
Overwintering: In frost-free areas, cut back old stems to encourage fresh growth. In colder regions, treat it as an annual and discard after the first hard frost.
In containers: It grows very well in containers, provided the pot has good drainage and is at least 20 centimeters wide.

Seed

1. Sow seeds indoors 8 weeks before the last frost.
2. Press seeds into moist soil but do not cover deeply.
3. Keep warm and provide bright light until germination.

Group these with other sun-loving annuals that have similar moisture requirements to simplify your watering routine.

Grows well with

Petunia · They share similar water and light needs for summer bedding displays.
Marigold · These provide a nice color contrast and thrive in the same sunny conditions.

Similar species

Mealycup Sage · It offers a similar growth habit but with more drought tolerance.

Science

Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Salvia
Order: Lamiales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Brazil
Conservation: It is not a species of conservation concern.

It grows in moist, well-drained forest edges in its native habitat.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
Uses: bedding plant, container gardening, pollinator garden

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 8/9
Moisture: 6/9
Nutrients: 6/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Can I grow this in the shade?: It prefers full sun but will tolerate partial shade in very hot climates.
How do I keep it blooming?: Regular deadheading of spent flower spikes encourages new growth and blooms.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Salvia comes from the Latin salvere, meaning to save, while the species name splendens highlights its brilliant appearance.

Good to know

It is native to Brazil.
The name splendens means brilliant or showy.
It is often grown as an annual in cooler climates.

Keep your scarlet sage growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

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This guide was generated with AI on October 19, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.